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The Zephyr Valve Treatment is a minimally invasive treatment for people with severe COPD/emphysema. The Zephyr Valves are an implant designed to fit in the airways of the lungs. The valves are placed in selected airways during a bronchoscopy procedure (no incisions or cutting required) and are an alternative to the more invasive traditional lung volume reduction surgery.

If you have severe COPD/emphysema you may struggle to catch your breath while doing everyday tasks. This is because the damaged parts of your lungs have lost their ability to release trapped air and have become overinflated. Zephyr Valves are tiny, one-way valves that allow the trapped air to be exhaled from the lungs and prevent more air from becoming trapped there. This helps patients breathe better and do more.

Generally, candidates who should be evaluated for Zephyr Valve Treatment are patients who:

• Have a confirmed diagnosis of COPD or emphysema
• Have to stop to catch their breath often, even with taking their medication as directed
• Have reduced lung function (FEV1≤50% predicted)

These are general criteria but only a Zephyr Valve trained physician can determine if you are a candidate. There is an evaluation process to determine if you are a candidate for the treatment. Find a treating center near you.

Find a treating center near you, and then call and schedule an appointment.

A simple set of tests are required to determine if you might be a good candidate for the treatment. These include pulmonary function testing (PFTs), a CT scan, ABG (a blood test), and a 6-minute walk test. Additional tests may include an echocardiogram and a perfusion scan.

Yes, you will need to quit smoking at least 4 months prior to receiving the Zephyr Valve Treatment and must refrain from smoking after the procedure.

The procedure is for adult patients (18 years and older). A Zephyr Valve trained physician will determine if you are a candidate but there is no strict upper age limit.

Patients should not have this treatment if they do not meet certain criteria. You will need to go through a number of tests to see if you qualify. Some of the most common reasons why patients do not qualify are:

• Unable to have a bronchoscopic procedure.
• Have an active lung infection.
• Have an allergy to nitinol, nickel, titanium, or silicone.
• Have not stopped smoking.
• Have an air pocket (bullae) that is greater than 1/3 of the size of the lung.
• Have passages or channels in their lungs that bypass the normal airways (collateral ventilation).
• Primary symptoms are a result of another non-COPD/emphysema health condition.

Endobronchial valves, such as Zephyr Valves, are recommended by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and available on the NHS. 

You don’t need to be a private patient. Zephyr Valve treatment is available on the NHS. Please speak to your doctor. 

Private clinics and hospitals set their own costs for treatment, which can depend on a few variables. These treatment centres may accept insurance and self-pay patients. You will need to contact the individual treatment centres to discover their range of costs. Zephyr Valve treatment is also available on the NHS.

Zephyr Valves are placed during a procedure that does not require any cutting or incisions.

Step 1 – The doctor will give the patient medicine to make them sleepy.

Step 2 – A small tube with a camera, called a bronchoscope, will be inserted into your lungs through your nose or mouth.

Step 3 – During the procedure your doctor will place on average 4 Zephyr Valves in the airways. The number of valves placed will depend on the individual anatomy of the patient’s airways and physician discretion.

Step 4 – You will stay in the hospital for a minimum of 3 nights. Some patients who experience a complication may be required to stay longer.

Step 5 – After the procedure, you will continue to use the medicines that your doctor has prescribed for your condition.

The procedure is usually complete in about an hour.

Following Zephyr Valve treatment, patients are required to stay in the hospital for 3 nights to allow for careful observation. In most cases, patients are able to go home after 3 nights if there are no complications. Some patients may end up staying longer than 3 nights if they develop a pneumothorax (tear in the lung), a known side effect of this treatment, or another complication. Most patients are able resume normal activities within a couple of weeks.

In 4 randomized, controlled clinical trials, Zephyr Valves have been proven to:¹,⁷⁻⁹

• Improve Lung Function
• Improve Exercise Capacity
• Improve Quality of Life

Over 40,000 people globally have received this treatment.

Yes, you will likely continue to take your medications as prescribed by your doctor for your condition.

Emphysema is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. In severe emphysema, parts of the lungs are damaged, which traps air in the lungs (called hyperinflation of the lungs). This causes the diseased parts of the lung to get bigger and put pressure on the healthy parts of the lungs and diaphragm.

When this happens, it makes it difficult to breath properly and take deep breaths. This constant shortness of breath can make it difficult to do everyday activities and to enjoy many aspects of life without stopping for air, taking a break, or getting help.

Unfortunately, emphysema cannot be cured, but the Zephyr Valve helps patients breathe easier, enjoy more, and have a better quality of life¹ while living with severe emphysema.

Collateral ventilation happens when the fissure structure between lobes is not solid and air can pass through from one lobe to another. It’s as if the fissures are walls and there is a window that shouldn’t be there. The window allows air to pass through from one lobe to another adjacent lobe.

In our study for FDA approval of the Zephyr Valve, of the patients who were on supplemental oxygen, more patients treated with the Zephyr Valves used less oxygen compared to untreated patients (15.7% vs. 6.9%, respectively) at one year. At the same time more untreated patients (22.4%) compared to the Zephyr Valve treated patients (11.3%) reported increased oxygen use.